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Publications

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below.  Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.

Filter Total Items: 1963

The Conservation Reserve Program: habitat for grassland birds The Conservation Reserve Program: habitat for grassland birds

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has effected major changes to the landscape, especially in the northern Great Plains. Breeding birds have responded dramatically to habitat changes by colonizing CRP fields, often in large numbers. The vegetation in most CRP fields consists of introduced grasses and legumes, along with a variety of weedy species. This paper describes the bird...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Michael D. Schwartz

Incidental catch of marine birds in the north pacific high seas driftnet fisheries in 1990 Incidental catch of marine birds in the north pacific high seas driftnet fisheries in 1990

The incidental take of marine birds was estimated for the following North Pacific driftnet fisheries in 1990: Japanese squid, Japanese large-mesh, Korean squid, and Taiwanese squid and large-mesh combined. The take was estimated by assuming that the data represented a random sample from an unstratified population of all driftnet fisheries in the North Pacific. Estimates for 13 species or...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, T.L. Shaffer, P.J. Gould

Least tern and piping plover nesting at sand pits in Nebraska Least tern and piping plover nesting at sand pits in Nebraska

Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) and threatened Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) nest at commercial sand and gravel mining operations (sand pits) along the Platte River system in Nebraska. Sandbar habitat has been disappearing since the early 1900's along the Platte River system, but numbers of sand pits have increased. We hypothesized that birds would more fully utilize...
Authors
John G. Sidle, E.M. Kirsch

A sampler for quantifying the vertical distribution of macroinvertebrates in shallow wetlands A sampler for quantifying the vertical distribution of macroinvertebrates in shallow wetlands

A sampler for quantifying the vertical distribution of aquatic macroinvertebrates in wetlands is described. This device will facilitate quantitative sampling of macroinvertebrates in waterfowl ecology and related studies. Because it simultaneously collects benthic and pelagic invertebrates the sampler reduces bias associated with sampling macroinvertebrates that occupy the benthic...
Authors
J. MacKay, N.H. Euliss

Effects of grazing on nesting by upland sandpipers in southcentral North Dakota Effects of grazing on nesting by upland sandpipers in southcentral North Dakota

Grazing by livestock is often used to reduce litter, improve plant vigor, and alter plant species composition, but additional information is needed on the effects of these management practices on upland-nesting birds. Thus, we conducted an experimental study of the effect of grazing on nest density and nest success of upland sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) in southcentral North Dakota...
Authors
Bonnie S. Bowen, Arnold D. Kruse

Effects of irrigation on seed production and vegetative characteristics of four moist-soil plants on impounded wetlands in California Effects of irrigation on seed production and vegetative characteristics of four moist-soil plants on impounded wetlands in California

We examined the effects of irrigation on 4 moist-soil plants commonly managed for waterfowl in the Sacramento Valley, California. Irrigation resulted in taller and heavier swamp timothy (Heleochloa schoenoides), pricklegrass (Crypsis niliaca), and sprangletop (Leptochloa fasicularis). Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) grew taller in irrigated wetlands, but no significant difference...
Authors
D.M. Mushet, N.H. Euliss, S.W. Harris

Evaluating habitat selection with radio-telemetry triangulation error Evaluating habitat selection with radio-telemetry triangulation error

Radio-telemetry triangulation errors result in the mislocation of animals and misclassification of habitat use. We present analytical methods that provide improved estimates of habitat use when misclassification probabilities can be determined. When misclassification probabilities cannot be determined, we use random subsamples from the error distribution of an estimated animal location...
Authors
Michael Samuel, Kevin P. Kenow

Evaluating habitat selection with radio-telemetry triangulation error Evaluating habitat selection with radio-telemetry triangulation error

Radio-telemetry triangulation errors result in the mislocation of animals and misclassification of habitat use. We present analytical methods that provide improved estimates of habitat use when misclassification probabilities can be determined. When misclassification probabilities cannot be determined, we use random subsamples from the error distribution of an estimated animal location...
Authors
Michael D. Samuel, Kevin P. Kenow

Human disturbances of waterfowl: causes, effects, and management Human disturbances of waterfowl: causes, effects, and management

Human disturbances of waterfowl can be intentional or unintentional. They may result from overt or directed activities or may be ancillary to activities not initially thought to be of concern to birds. Some of these disturbances are manifested by alertness, fright (obvious or inapparent), flight, swimming, disablement, or death. Therefore, persons responsible for waterfowl management...
Authors
C. E. Korschgen, R.B. Dahlgren
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